Well-excavating apparatus



March 20, 1928.` 1,662,904

A. P. SCHNYDER WELL EXCAVATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 4. 1926 i5Sheets-Sheet 'L March 20, 1928.

1,662,904 A. P. scHNYDER WELL EXCAVATIG APPARATUS Filed nec. 4. 192e ssheets-sheer 2 lei/7779),@

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March 20, 1928.

A. P. lSCHNYDER WELL EXGAVATI NG APPARATUS jaw/fiar 5 Shee ts-Sheet 5Filed Dec. 4, 1926 Patented Mar. 20, 1928.

UNITED ls'rMas ADOLPH P. SCHNYDER, OF POAG, ILLINOIS.

WELL-EXCAVATING Arrenn'rus.

Application mea December 4, 1926. serial No. 152,551.

This invention relates to well excavating apparatus and has for its.objects the provision of an apparatus which is of compact construct-ionso that it can lhe used in the excavating of wells of comparativelysmall diameters and which is flexiblysuspended by cables from a derricklocated above the mouth ofthe well so that said apparatus may be used inthe excavating of wells of various depths. c

Further objects of my invention are to mount the excavating memberl orbucket so that itmay reach the bottom ofthe well in inverted positionand can then be actuated to `right itself whereupon .the entering edgeof said bucket digs itself into the ground and ills said bucket. y

Still further objects of the invention are to provide a suitable cablesuspension for ysaid excavating member and a separate cable connectionfor actuating said excavating member from its inverted, position, saidcable connection being utilized in hoisting the filled excavating memberand in holding said member in upright position.`

Other objects of the invention are to providea suitable framework forsupporting and guiding the excavating member and provided -with suitabletackle gear for opera.- tively connecting'thereto the hoisting andoperating cables.

Additional objects of the invention are to providea well excavatingapparatus of a simple construction which Ican be easily operated bymeans of cables and which is so `constructed that ine sand as well asmud can be excavated by means of said cables.

lVith these and other object-s in View, my invention'consists in certainnovel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinaftermore fullydescribed and claimed,

and illustratedA in" the accompanying drawings. in which-` l Figure 1 isa vertical cross section through the lower end of a well with theapparatus located therein and the excavating member occupying invertedposit-ion.

Figure 2 is a similar view but showing the excavating memberincuprightposition.

Figure Bis a horizontal cross section taken on lines 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the excavatingapparatus in front elevation.

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross section taken on lines 5 5 of Figure 2. f

Figure 6 is a detail view taken on lines 6-6 of Figure 1, with thesheaves removed therefrom.

Figure 7 is a front. elevational view of the hoisting machine, utilizedfor operating the cables. f

Figure 8 is a vertical cross section through a well showing the modifiedform of excavating apparatus wherein two excavating members are used.

Figure 9 is a fragmental view showing the excavating members in partlymoved position.

My present invention relatesmore particularly to well excavatingapparatus and is particularly designed for use in sinking lwell casings.of the type such as described in my Patent No. 1,038,973. In this typeof wells the well 'casings are formed in sections which are sunk intothe ground in superimposed relation while the ground within the well isremovedy therefrom.

Briefly stated my excavating apparatus includes a bucket orexcavatingmember'of suitable dimensions to allow the admissionthereofinto .the well casing.y A cable suspension is provided forlowering and rais-V ing said bucket, the latterbeing pivotally mountedon said suspension means and being overbalanced soy that when releasedit will occupy inverted position lwith its cutting edge presenteddownwardly.v A cable connection is used to right the bucket when thelatter is resting on the bottom of the well where by the bucket uponbeing operated on its pivots digs into the ground. and ills. itself. Thelled bucket is then hoisted fromthe well and is emptied,

Referringby numerals to the accompanying'drawings, 10 indicates asection of 'a well casing provided at its lower end with a rcutting end10a. Suspended within the casing by means of av cable 11,A isa framework12 on which is supporteda tackle apparatus or power'transmissionmechanism 13 comprising a moving block 1 4 and astanding block 15. Theframework comprises' a vertically disposed channel member` 16 to theupper end of which is fixed one end of cable 11 as indicated at 11a. Apair of vertically disposed plates 17 are fixed to the flanges 16El ofmember 16 near the upper end thereof and are provided with bearings 18in which is journaled a shaft 19 for carrying a pair o f sheaves 2O ofstanding block 15. A hori- Zontally extending member 21 is iixed to thelower end of channel member 16 by means of rivets 22. A series ofbrackets 24 are fixed to member 21 and extend therefrom to receiverollers 25 which latter are spaced equi-distant from each othei. Theserollers are adapted to engage the inner periphery of casing 10 and guideframework 12 during its travel therethrough. Extending downwardly frommember 21 is a pair of arms 26 to the lower ends of which is pivotallyconnected by pins 27 an excavating member or bucket 28. Pivotal members27 are located near the bottom of bucket 28 so that the latter will havea tendency to occupy inverted position.

Bucket `28 is preferably semi-spherical in shape having a curved bottom29 and having its sides partly formed straight as indicated at 30. Theentering edge of the bucketis provided with pointed teeth as indicatedat 31 to facilitate the digging operation of the bucket. Projectingfi'oin each side 30 beyond 'theropen end of the bucket is an arm 32 towhich is pivotally connected one end of a link 34, the opposite end l0fthe latter being pivotally connected to the lower end of an arm 35, theupper of which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 36of a moving block .14.The pivotally interconnected ends of links 34 and arms. 35 are spacedfrom each other by a spacer 38 and the pivotally interconnected ends oflinks 34 and arms 32 are spaced from each other by a bar 39, the latterbeing formed prefer`` ably triangular in cross section with the apexpresented awayfrom bucket 29.

Moving block 14 consists of a series of sheaves 40 which are carried byshaft 36.

A cable 41 having one end fixed to channel member 11 as indicatedat 42passes downwardly over one of the sheaves 40 of block 14 and thenupwardly Aover one of the sheaves 20 of block 15 then downwardly againover the next sheaf 40 and then upwardly over the second sheaf 20 andthe free end of the cable then extends upwardly through the well asindicated at 44 and isv A and 44 may be used in hoisting the apparatusafter the bucket 28 has been moved in upright position.

In the operation of my excavating apparatus the tackle 13 is loweredthrough the casing 10 with the bucket 28 occupying inverted positions asshown in Figures 1 and 4. Upon reaching the bottom of the well cable 44is operated thereby causing moving block 14 to be moved towards block15.V This movement exerts pull on arms 35 which in turn operate links34. Links 34 bear against the edge of bucket 28 at points disposedopposite to entering edge 31 which is forced into the ground. In doingso the bucket becomes filled with `the loosened material. Theupward'movement of block 14 Vbrings bucket 28 into position shown inFigure 2. In this position arms 32 are presented upwardly and are inalignment with links 34 and arms 35. After bucket 28 has been actuatedto occupy upright positions, cable l1 is operated to hoist the bucket'from thewell so as to remove the contents thereof. In raising thebucket 28 cable 44 may be utilized to as sist in this operation therebyinsuring against slack in cable 44 and the consequent accidentaldisplacement of said bucket and the spilling ofthe material containedtherein. Arms 32 are disposed to one side of the axis of bucket 28 whilepivots 27` are disposed on the opposite side of the central line I tweenrollers 25 and the inner periphery of casing l0 as shown in Figure 3 inorder to allow certain amount of play for the ap-V paratus and bucket28, particularly when the latter is being actuated at the bottom of thewell.

`In Figures 8 and 9 a modified form of excavating apparatus is shown.This form is particularly adapted for use on the surface, as inloadingand unloading sand and similar material, andthe like, andconsists of two excavating buckets 28 carriedby a` framework 47, thelatter comprising vertically disposed channel members 48 spaced fromeach other and carrying at their lower ends 49, by means ofl arms 2Garigidly connected thereto7 said bucket 28a. The upper ends of channelmembers 48 are connected together by a paii` of plates 50 in which aremounted block and -tackle mechanism 13.a for actuating said members 28a.A pair of pulleys 51 is mounted* on plates 50 in spaced relation withblock and tackle mechanism 13a and cables 52 after operating over theizo sheaves 20* and 4Q-a pass inwardly-under pulle'ys 5l and then"upwardly toward the hoisting machine. Said cables'52 can be operatedindependently of each other, or they may be unitedtogether as indicatedat 53 a-suitable distance from pulleys 51 so that both cables 52 areoperated simultaneously at a uni-form speed. A cable 54e is preferablylconnected-to each channel member 48 and serves to hoist the framework47.

The lblock and tackle gear of my improved apparatus serves as a speedreducing means for operating the bucket and provides the power necessaryto actuate the bucket when the latter is engaged in digging or looseningthe soil or material `it isdesired to remove. V"ny number of sheaves 20and 40 can be used to obtain the necessary power. Cable 11 forms aflexible suspension for lowering and raisin the framework 12 and theexcavating mem er carried thereby. In this manner a well of any depthcan be dug by the use of my improved novel excavating apparatus. Y

My invention is primarily intended for use in excavating wells. However,it is equally as applicable for use in hoisting material such as sandand' the like.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is obvious that various changes in the constructionandarrangement` of parts'can be made and substituted for those hereinshown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention.

- I claim:

1. An excavating apparatus comprising a supporting framework,A flexiblesuspension means therefor, an excavating and material holding bucketpivotally mounted on said framework, block and tackle mechanism on saidframework and Yconnected to said bucket for actuating the latter on itspivots, and cable connections for operating vsaid block and tacklemechanism. .f

2. An excavating apparatus comprising a supporting framework, flexiblesuspension means therefor, l'an excavating and material holding bucketpivotally mounted on said framework, block and tackle mech*- anism onsaid framework and connected to said bucket for actuating the latter onits pivots, cable connections for operating said block and tacklemechanism, and hoisting means for operating said flexible suspensionmeans. r

3, An excavating apparat-uscomprising a supporting framework, flexiblesuspension means therefor', an .excavating and material holding bucketpivotally mounted on `said framework, block and tackle-mechanismen saidframework and connected to said bucket for actuating the latter on itspivots, cable connections for operating saidblock and tackle mechanism,and lhoisting means for simultaneously kol' independently operating saidflexiblesuspension means and said cable connections.

4. An excavating apparatuscomprising a supportingframework adapted toenter a well, a cable for hoisting said framework, an excavating bucketpivotally mountedlon said framework, a' power transmission mechanismcomprising interconnected revoluble members supported by said framework,articulated connections between said power transmission mechanism andysaid bucket for actuating the latter, and cable connections foractuating said block and tackle mechanism. Y

5. An excavating apparatus comprising a supporting framework adapted toenter a well, a cable for hoisting said framework, an excavating bucketpivotally mounted on said framework,` a block and tackle -mechanismsupported b said framework, articulated connections between said blockand tackle mechanism and said bucket for actuating the latter, cableconnections for actuating said block and tackle mechanism, and guideVmeansy on said framework for guiding it during its travel in the well. v

6. An excavating apparatus comprising a supporting framework adapted toenter a well, a cable for hoisting said framework, Van excavating bucketpivotally mounted on said framework, a powerV transmission mechanismsupportedy by said framework including cooperating revoluble members,articulated connections between said power transmission mechanism andsaid bucket? for actuating the latter, cable connectionsf'for-actuatingsaid power transmission mechanism, brackets extending laterally fromsaid framework, and guide lrollers journaled in said brackets andadapted tolengage the face of the wellfor guiding said framework'there-`through and maintaining it in proper position therein.

7. An excavating apparatus comprising a supporting framework, a pair ofdepending arms fixed to the lower end of said framework, an excavatingand materialj'holding b ucket pivotally mounted on thelower ends ofrsaidarms, a block and tackle mechanism supported bythe upper end of saidframework, articulated connections pivotally connected to said blockandtackle mechanism 'and to said bucket whereby the actuation of said blockand :tackle mechanism operates 120, said bucket onits pivotal supportsand causes `inversion or upright positioning of said bucket, cableconnections for operating said block and tackle mechanism and extendingupwardly therefrom to the mouth ofthe well, and cable connections 'forhoistingsaid framework vand parts supported thereby.

8. An excavating apparatus comprising a supporting framework, a pair ofdepending armsilxed to the lower end of said framework, anexcavating andmaterial holding bucket pivotally mounted on the lower ends of saidarms, a block and tackle mechanism supported by the upper end of saidframework, articulated connections pivotally connected to said block andtackle mechanism and to said bucket whereby the actuation of said blockand tackle mechanism operates Vsaid bucket on its pivotal supports andcauses inversion or upright positioning of said bucket, cableconnections for operating said block and tackle mechanism and extendingupwardly therefrom to the mouth of the well, cable connections forhoisting said framework and parts supported thereby, and

i guide rollers mounted on said framework adapted to guide said bucketand spaced from said framework for guiding the latter during its travelthrough the well.

9. An excavating apparatus comprising a supporting framework, a pair ofdepending arms fixed to the lower end of said framework, an excavatingand material holding bucket pivotally mounted on the lower ends -of saidarms, a block and tackle mechanism supported by the upper end of saidframework, articulated connections pivotally connected to'said block andtackle mechanism .and to said bucket whereby the actuation of said blockand tackle mechanism. operates said bucket on `its pivotal supports `andcauses inversion or upright positioning of said bucket, cableconnections for operating said block and tackle mechanism and extendingupwardly therefrom to the mouth 0f the well, cable connections forhoisting said framework and parts supported there` pivotally mountedon-said framework, the i pivotal points of said member being arrangednear the bottom thereof and toone side of the vertical axis of same andblock and tackle means for actuating said member on said pivots, saidmeans having pivotal operative connection with said member near the topthereof and on the opposite side of the vertical axis of same.

12. An excavating apparatus comprising in combination a framework` asuspension cable attached to said framework for lowering and hoistingthe same, a single piece material cutting and holding member pivotallymounted on the lower end of said framework, the pivotal points beingarranged near the bottom of said member and to one side of the verticalaxis thereof, block and tackle mechanism supported b said frameworkabove said material hol ing member, linkage connections between saidblock and tackle mechanism and said material holding member and having apivotal connection with the latter near the top thereof and on theopposite side of the vertical axis of same, and means for actuating saidblock and tackle mechanism. t 13. An excavating apparatus comprising incombination a framework, a suspension cable attached to said frameworkfor lowering and hoisting the same, a single piece material cutting andholding member pivotally mounted on the lower end of said framework, thepivotal points being arrangedv near the bottom of said member and to oneside of the vertical axis thereof, block and tackle mechanism supportedby said framework about said material holding member, linkageconnections between said block and tackle mechanism and said materialholding member and havinga pivotal connection with the latter near thetop. thereof and on the opposite side of the vertical axis of same,means for actuating said blockand tackle mechanism, and guide rollerscarried by said framework and arranged in spaced relation therewith forguiding the apparatus during its travel in a welly 14. An excavatingapparatus comprising in combination a framework, a suspension cablesecured to the upper end of said framework, an invertible single piecematerial cutting and holding memberV pivotally mounted on the lower endof said framework,a standing block supported on the upper end of saidframework, a moving `block arranged below said standing block,

acable having one Vend fixed to said framework and operating over saidblocks and having its opposite end extending upwardly, and linkageconnections pivotally connected to said vmoving block and to saidmaterial holding member whereby the latter is operated on its pivots bymeans of said last-mentioned cable. 15. In a well excavating apparatus,the combinationof a framework, a suspension cable xed at one end to saidframework, a hoisting machine for `receiving the other end of saidsuspension cable, a block and tackle mechanism supported on saidframework includingr a cable having one end fixed to said framework andthe other end operatively connected to said hoisting machine, a singlepiece material Vand cutting and` holding member pivotally mounted' onthe lower end of said framework. the pivotal points being disposed toone side of said material holding member to allow inversion thereof,

and articulated connections pivotally connected at their upper end tosaid block and tackle mechanism and at their lower end to said materialholding member for operating 5 the latter from its inverted position,the pivotal connection between said material holding member and saidlinkage connections being disposed at points spaced in a .nism isreleased. y

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this 24th day ofNovember, 19263 I* ADOLPH P. SCHNYDER.

